Aakash Chopra just lately introduced his Indian squad alternatives for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy and the previous ODI collection in opposition to England. Noticeably absent from his decisions had been Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav.
India’s three-match ODI collection in opposition to England begins on 6 February in Nagpur. The Champions Trophy begins on 19 February, with India’s first match in opposition to Bangladesh scheduled for 20 February in Dubai.
Chopra shared his squad on his YouTube channel. He based mostly his alternatives on India’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad, assuming Rohit Sharma would stay as captain and opening batsman.
Chopra defined his rationale for excluding Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson from the ODI lineup.
“I really feel Suryakumar Yadav will not be part of this staff. He’s truly not enjoying ODIs and hasn’t scored runs within the Vijay Hazare Trophy both. Sanju Samson hasn’t performed in any respect. One did not play and the opposite did not rating runs, so their names should not going to come back up,” he reasoned.
Shreyas Iyer secured a middle-order batting spot in Chopra’s squad. Chopra highlighted Iyer’s spectacular efficiency for the reason that World Cup.
“For the reason that begin of the World Cup, he has scored 620 runs in 15 innings, with two centuries, at a strike fee of 112 and a median of 52. Iyer is on fireplace,” Chopra stated.
Chopra chosen KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant because the wicketkeeper-batsmen. He famous Rahul’s robust efficiency for the reason that 2023 World Cup.
“KL Rahul was enjoying after that. For the reason that begin of the 2023 World Cup, he has scored 560 runs at a median of 56 in 14 innings. He has struck a century and three half-centuries. He can even be there within the staff. He was enjoying as a keeper then and would possibly play as a keeper now too,” he elaborated.
Chopra justified his inclusion of Rishabh Pant regardless of Pant’s restricted ODI appearances just lately. He additionally acknowledged Pant’s modest ODI statistics.
“Rishabh Pant did not play within the World Cup. What’s his ODI file? He has scored his runs at a strike fee of 106 and a median of 33.5, with one century and 5 half-centuries. The numbers aren’t nice, however he’ll come into the staff instead of Ishan Kishan,” the previous India participant added.
Pant’s final ODI look was in August of the earlier 12 months in opposition to Sri Lanka, the place he scored solely six runs.
